The visual used for the facebook event page for the world premier of Dr. Sol Haring’s film, No Time to Get Old, is a familiar one. The lettering was photographed in the hallway outside my studio in 2011 during the interview and filming. The quote, “life is serious, but art is fun,” is from John Irving’s Hotel New Hampshire. The upbeat message comes at a sad turn of events in the novel, reminding the characters and the reader to ‘keep passing the open window.’  For some reason I have never had the inclination to repaint the moulding – and now it seems unlikely to change anytime soon.

Sol, of Graz, Austria, focused on a dozen women artists, from Little Rock, Arkansas and Akron, Ohio, whose ages she described as circling 50. The group included musicians and visual artists. While each story is individual, attitudes and concerns were often similar. Appreciation for the sense of knowledge and freedom that comes with age was expressed by most of the artists. A feeling of gratitude for the ability to follow their passions further into the future was universal.

Interviews were conducted and filmed in Akron a year ago by Sol and her crew, Andrea Wildbein and Isa Hollauf.

photo courtesy of Sol Haring film

Sol returned to the states for the premier, presented in Akron, Ohio, on October 9, 2012. Following the film, screened in the auditorium of the Akron- Summit County Public Library, there was some friendly interaction between the artists and the audience.

photo by Daniela Jauk

No Time to Get Old has not yet been released to the public, but the stories and images are now online at videography – sol haring film. Included in her site are the formative ideas and background for the project and the stories shared by all of the women. Featured artists from Little Rock are Sherrie Shepherd, Shannon Boshears, Marjorie Williams-Smith, V.L. Cox, Delita Martin and Diane Page Harper. Closer to home are Peggy Coyle, Marti Jeffers, Amy Walker, Marilyn Dirrig and Connie Bloom, whose statement about time and aging became the title. Participating in this project was way outside my comfort zone. Meeting Sol and the other incredible, inspiring women was a memorable reward for trying something new.

photo from Sol Haring’s No Time to Get Old